Food For Thought

These days, everyone from celebrities to journalists to politicians has an opinion about the “right” way to raise food. Often, their criticism of a rancher like me relates to the environment — people say we aren’t doing our part to protect the planet.

With the 40th anniversary of Earth Day coming up, I’d like to offer some food for thought. While these naysayers talk about minimizing impact on the environment, America’s cattle farmers and ranchers get up every day and do it. We care for the land because it’s our job.

We’re constantly creating new, innovative practices that help us do more with less. The things we do to protect and enhance the land are unique to where we’re located. But no matter what climate or geography we live in, we care for our cattle and the environment.

Today, and every day, I’d like to extend my appreciation to my fellow Arizona farmers and ranchers — the original environmentalists.